THE WOUNDED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2473, 28 May 1915, Page 7

THE WOUNDED

CONDITION OP THE MEN NEWS TO BE CABLED Tho Hon. J, 'Allen (Minister of Defence) lias takon steps to ascertain tho location of tho hospitals whoro tho Now Zealand wounded soldiors now lie, and to have roports supplied at intervals regarding tho condition of tho wounded. Mr. AJlcn informed a reporter yesterday that ho was in communication with Malta regarding tho wounded Now Zoalanders there—fivo oflicors and 2% r.cn-commissioncd officers and men. He had telegraphed to the authorities to cable him tho namos of tho wounded in tho Malta hospitals at tho present time, and to report from tlmo to time tlio men who had recovered and gone hack to the front, tho men whose had become moro serious, and the additional wounded wlio bad gono into the hospitals. Ho had further intimated to the authorities that unless they reported that a wounded soldier was getting worse, it would b? presumed that ho ■was progressing favourably. This would save a great deal of time and unnecessary cabling. Advico had been received that full written particulars regarding tho wounded at Malta wore being sent, but to save unnecessary delay and anxiety he (tho Minister) had given instructions for the information to be cabled. Tho Minister added tliat he was adopting tho same course with regard to the wounded Now Zealaudors in Egypt, who woro receiving attention in the following hospitals:—Alexandria No. IE General Hospital, No. 17 General Hospital, Egyptian Government Hospital, Ras-01-tin Military Hospital, No. 5 Indian General Hospital, Bombay Presidency Hospital, and P.H.D. No. 1 and No. 2 Hospitals. As far as tho wounded New Zealand-ci-s in English hospitals were concerned, said Mr. Allen, the High Commissionei was from t ; mo to time forwarding particulars regarding them. Meaning of Terms. With a view to dispelling the confusion and anxiety which sometimes arise when the casualty lists are received, the Minister of Defence yesterday issued the following definition of the expressions used in connection with wounds:— 1. "Slightly wounded": Able to toEumo chrty immediately after being attended to. 2. "Wounded": Not badly hurt, biif requiring treatment and Dot able to resumo duty for a short period. 3. "Seriously Wounded": Any wound that might become complicated, such ae a bullet wound through the abdomen, truitk, or chest. 4. "Dangerously Wounded"; "Wounds likely to end in death. It is to he noted that there is nc marked distinction. The groups ofter overlap, but the above is the usual classification.